"We were one then."
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,084
As I've mentioned elsewhere, I've been reading a lot about World War II lately. People who know me find this a bit strange because I'm more interested in pacifism than war but my father served in the war and I decided it was time I learned more about that period of time from which there are great lessons to be learned.
Toward the end of James Bradley's fine book, Flags of Our Fathers, there are a couple of comments that stood out for me. When describing the seventh bond tour, referred to as "The Mighty 7th", which took place toward the end of the war, Bradley says, "[The goal of raising 14 billion dollars] was the ponderous challenge- and the incomparable excitement- of reaching a mass public in an age before television: a great roving road show that would personify the war's realities and deliver them to American's home precincts. An effort by the government to communicate almost face-to-face with as many of its citizens as possible, and to make its case for voluntary sacrifices, rather than simply confiscate the needed money through taxes. A gargantuan feat of popular democracy, the likes of which have since vanished from the culture." p. 282
Sobering thought.
I'm not suggesting here that we should stop collecting taxes. I do strongly believe there is a place for government run agencies financed through taxes and, yes, there should be accountability in running these agencies. And, after all, the bond drives were a function of government, not private enterprise. I am suggesting that we could all learn to be more generous through voluntary sacrifices.
The bond drive ended up securing $26.3 billion in pledges. When Bradley called the treasury department to confirm those figures, "...the official marveled over the size and accomplishments of the Mighty 7th. He fell silent for a moment as he shuffled some papers on his desk. The he said simple, 'We were one then.'" p.295
This is a world with which we are much less familiar today. For one thing, we are much more fragmented and divided today. Imagine if we as a country, or better yet, we as a world, worked together to solve some of the many challenges we face today-- to end the continual wars, clean up the environment, slow runaway overpopulation, stop senseless killings-- through voluntary sacrifices, how much better our world would be. These kinds of things do happen- we've seen examples of this here on the PJ forum. Loulou's recent efforts on AET to raise money for Purple Day 2013 is a wonderful example.
This is what makes sense, and we could do so much more.
Toward the end of James Bradley's fine book, Flags of Our Fathers, there are a couple of comments that stood out for me. When describing the seventh bond tour, referred to as "The Mighty 7th", which took place toward the end of the war, Bradley says, "[The goal of raising 14 billion dollars] was the ponderous challenge- and the incomparable excitement- of reaching a mass public in an age before television: a great roving road show that would personify the war's realities and deliver them to American's home precincts. An effort by the government to communicate almost face-to-face with as many of its citizens as possible, and to make its case for voluntary sacrifices, rather than simply confiscate the needed money through taxes. A gargantuan feat of popular democracy, the likes of which have since vanished from the culture." p. 282
Sobering thought.
I'm not suggesting here that we should stop collecting taxes. I do strongly believe there is a place for government run agencies financed through taxes and, yes, there should be accountability in running these agencies. And, after all, the bond drives were a function of government, not private enterprise. I am suggesting that we could all learn to be more generous through voluntary sacrifices.
The bond drive ended up securing $26.3 billion in pledges. When Bradley called the treasury department to confirm those figures, "...the official marveled over the size and accomplishments of the Mighty 7th. He fell silent for a moment as he shuffled some papers on his desk. The he said simple, 'We were one then.'" p.295
This is a world with which we are much less familiar today. For one thing, we are much more fragmented and divided today. Imagine if we as a country, or better yet, we as a world, worked together to solve some of the many challenges we face today-- to end the continual wars, clean up the environment, slow runaway overpopulation, stop senseless killings-- through voluntary sacrifices, how much better our world would be. These kinds of things do happen- we've seen examples of this here on the PJ forum. Loulou's recent efforts on AET to raise money for Purple Day 2013 is a wonderful example.
This is what makes sense, and we could do so much more.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
Democracy Dies in Darkness- Washington PostPost edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
Taxes, I don't mind paying. BUT DON'T FUCK IT UP. Be responsible with our funding; we all find ways to satiate our greed, as that trait is part of us and to deny it would be foolhardy. But, that thirst can be quenched *not* at the expense of others.
Voluntary sacrifices, many many people do that already. Somehow (and I may be way off here), saying that people SHOULD voluntarily give sort of mandates it, thus removing the whole voluntary concept.
To me, it's mostly about common sense and compassion. Neither can nor should be dictated, though.
Re. the enlarged part of you post, Hedonist, I totally agree. I try very hard to avoid words like "should", "ought to", "must" etc. for the very reason you state. If what I said at the start of this thread comes across as say people "should" do something, then I did not word my thoughts well. Volunteerism comes from heart and soul, not coercion.
DP! :wave: